Seven cases came up before the District Police Complaints Authority (DPCA) since it was set up following a government order dated October 20, 2014. Two of the three complaints from Vijayapura were disposed of after they were withdrawn. Two complaints from Dharwad and one each from Belagavi and Gadag are still being investigated.
No complaints came up from Haveri and Uttara Kannada districts.
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Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram, who assumed charge as Regional Commissioner (in-charge) of Belagavi revenue division and the chairman of the DPCA on Monday said there were fewer number of complaints against the police from Vijayapura, Dharwad, Belagavi and Gadag and no complaints from Haveri and Uttara Kannada.
But, he evaded a direct reply details of these complaints were sought. Asked for the reasons for the withdrawal of the complaints in Vijapura, he said that they were of minor nature. Mr. Jayaram was addressing presspersons.
When pointed out specific instances of police excesses in certain cases, Mr. Jayaram said the media should create awareness about these authorities in the best interest of the society. The government set up these authorities under Section 20-D (7) of the Karnataka Police (Amendment) Act, 2012. The State PCA can receive complaints against police officials of the rank of Superintendent of Police and above, while the public can file complaints against those of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and below with the DPCAs.
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These authorities were set up following the Supreme Court’s direction to State governments to evolve a local mechanism to address a wide range of complaints against the police, including custodial deaths, and make the police accountable. One of the objectives was also to bring in positive change in the ‘police culture’.
Meanwhile, the Belagavi District Police Complaints Authority, headed by the Regional Commissioner, remains unrepresented by Bagalkot, Vijayapura, Gadag and Uttara Kannada districts as no civil society representative has been appointed to it.
They were from Vijayapura, Dharwad, Belagavi and Gadag districts